Question

Explain the nature of public relations. 

What the characteristics of public relations.

Mention any two characteristics of public relations.

Answer 1

A thorough analysis of the definitions given above reveals the following characteristics of public relations:

1. Public relations is a planned and sustained effort. It is a management function.
2. It is concerned with the relationship between an organisation and the public.
3. It involves evaluating public opinion and attitudes about an organisation's policies, procedures, and actions insofar as they relate to the public.
4. The public relations function seeks to ensure that the organisation's policies, procedures, and actions are in the public interest and socially responsible.
5. It requires both action and communication programmes.
6. The basic purpose of public relations is to create and maintain harmonious relations between an organisation and the public.
7. Public relations is not propaganda, an instrument of politics and power for social control. The function of propaganda is to attract followers and to keep them in line. Propaganda does not necessarily require an ethical content and is guided solely by self-interest.
8. On the other hand, public relations recognises ethical conduct and seeks mutual understanding by securing the willing acceptance of attitudes and ideas. In public relations, the ends can never justify using false, harmful or questionable means.